Concussion: The NFL Shows How Little They Care

In 1991, Kansas Chief Hall of Famer Mike Webster retired from football after playing 245 games. According to the biography, Concussion, Webster started showing signs of brain deterioration as he developed dementia, depression, amnesia, and acute bone and muscle pain. He was also living out of his truck, disappearing from time to time, and used electric shock weapons to help him fall asleep, a behavior seen as odd by those close to him before dying in 2002 at the age of 50 from a heart attack.

Using a glass jar with an item and liquid inside, Omalu, in the movie, displays what happens to the brain every time the head is continuously hit on impact, hitting it repeatedly as football players on television are consistently tackled at full force. According to his theory, the brain causes a buildup of an abnormal form of the tau protein, disrupting the function of the brain’s neurons. Because football is America’s favorite pastime, the connection between CTE and NFL players was not received well, and many called Omalu a “quack” doctor for his discoveries, threatening him to stop pursuing his research. Omalu doesn’t, and with the help of former Steelers doctor Julian Bailey (played by Alec Baldwin) and neurologist Steven DeKosky, they continue their research despite threats and angry phone calls. With every story the film shows of a former football player struggling, the more the importance of the research continues.

As a viewer, seeing the contrast between football players at the height of their career and their struggle towards the end of their life brings upon both sadness and anger for the NFL league. Sadness, because we’re watching people be disregarded at their lowest point, which leads them to end their lives. Anger, because the players dedicated their physical and emotional health to make an organization billions of dollars all to be forgotten about until death.

Currently, there’s no way to test or prevent CTE as the only way to diagnose CTE is during an autopsy. Awareness has allowed athletes to speak up and get help with symptoms, to seek treatment for some of the symptoms, and to become part of clinical trials. Many athletes and armed service members also agreed to donate their brains for research upon their death, as some recognize similar patterns as those who have died before them. More needs to be done to minimize concussions in sports, whether it’s limiting the amount of contact or developing head protection for players to wear during practice and games. Importantly, people need to be put ahead of dollar signs so players can enjoy their lives on and off the field.